Does colonic irrigation really work?

I'm not sure what was more frightening - the thought of undergoing colonic irrigation or of having my experience written up for all to read.

There's nothing glamorous about a jet of water shooting up your rear end. Yet in recent years, colonic irrigation has become the celebrity health fad du jour; Goldie Hawn and Demi Moore are fans.

Devotees claim just one treatment boosts health and vitality and cures everything from acne and irritable bowels to depression.

Colonic therapists say it will also strengthen the digestive tract, heighten energy, stimulate the immune system and, of course, induce clockwork regularity.

With all this in mind I laid myself, and my dignity, on the table.

Life Hacks - Health Insurance tips1:29

How to get a better deal on health insurance.

February 1st 2018

a year ago

Royal flush

Anna Paredes, the colon hydrotherapist at Sydney's Colon Care Centre and president of the Australian Colonic Hydrotherapy Association, has been cleansing colons for more than 15 years.

She says up until five years ago it was only hippies, medical practitioners and alternative therapists who had colonics.

"These days colonics are becoming increasingly common among average Australians," Paredes says. "Their diets are highly processed and soon their bodies say, 'Enough!'" For best results, Paredes says to avoid bread, sugar and alcohol for three days before my treatment.

But as it's my birthday the day before, I fail miserably.

Paredes quizzes me on the amount of water I consumed versus the amount of alcohol - one glass of wine depletes the body of about three glasses of water, so my colon is in need of hydration.

Awkward is the only way to describe having a speculum and plastic hose inserted into your rectum, but once in place you hardly notice it is there.

The other end of the hose is connected to a machine. With a flick of the switch, water flows into my digestive tract. There is little discomfort initially, but then the pressure builds and I feel a cramp on my right side.

"A blockage," Paredes says as she flicks the release switch. From the murky mixture in the tube she concludes I eat too much sugar.

After the second release I start to feel nauseous, which Paredes says means toxins are being eliminated.

Up to 40 litres of warm water is pumped in and flushed out of my colon. Waste, toxins and bacteria are washed away, leaving my internal plumbing squeaky clean.

I can't say I feel fabulous after the treatment. Lighter, yes, but the nausea remains for a few hours.

However, in the following days I have a spring in my step, my skin and eyes are brighter and, by following Paredes's nutritional tips, I'm now two kilograms lighter.

One colonic irrigation treatment costs $95 at Sydney's Colon Care Centre. Clinics around the country offer the treatment. Check local guides for details.